Green Wave accepts invitation to New Orleans Bowl

For the first time in more than a decade, the Green Wave football team will be bowling in December, and it won’t have to travel far to do it. Athletic director Rick Dickson accepted an invitation to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, which will be held in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Dec. 21.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl committee representative Paul Valteau (left) extends an invitation to athletic director Rick Dickson for the Green Wave football team to play in its first bowl game since 2002. (Photo by Parker Waters)

“This is especially rewarding considering the struggles and challenges this program has seen over the last decade,” Dickson said in a press conference on Tuesday (Dec. 3) in the rotunda of the Wilson Center. “We’re looking forward to seeing a great turnout of Tulanians. It’s going to be a great day and we’re honored and pleased to kick off bowl season.”

This will be the first bowl invitation for the Green Wave since the team defeated Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl in 2002. Tulane hasn’t played a home field bowl game since the 1940 Sugar Bowl against Texas A&M.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl committee representative Paul Valteau said this invitation was one of the most rewarding for him.

“From the 1950s on, some of my fondest memories are of walking with my father to Tulane Stadium to see Tulane play,” Valteau said. “Since the day we started this bowl game it has been my hope to stand here and extend this invitation.”

The Wave will face off against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, a team that comes into the game having won consecutive New Orleans Bowls and is playing for the Sun Belt Conference championship this weekend.

Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson said it was an honor for the Green Wave to play a bowl game in front of a home crowd in the Superdome.

“I told our team that they are blessed to be able to play in front of all their family and friends,” Johnson said.

For ticket information contact the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office, which is located on the first floor of the Wilson Center on Ben Weiner Drive, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., over the phone at 504-861-WAVE (9283) or via the Internet at www.TulaneGreenWave.com.